Saraki Rubbishes APC Again: Makes Ndume Senate Leader

The APC is being dragged in the mud by Boko Saraki and his gang. Three out of the four principal officers of the Senate assumed office on Thursday after the Senate President, Saraki, read their nomination letters from their respective zonal caucuses in the red chamber, against APC’s wish again.

Saraki at the resumed sitting of the federal lawmakers, refused to read the letter sent to him by APC leaders but read out the letters addressed to him by the APC senate caucuses from the North-East, North-West and South-South.

He said the North-East caucus had endorsed and nominated Senator Ali Ndume as the Majority Leader, while the North-West caucus adopted Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah as Deputy Majority Leader.

The South-South caucus according to their own letter, adopted France Alimikhena as the deputy whip.

He subsequently asked the Sergeant–at– Arms to lead the three principal officers to their respective seats and assume office immediately.

Saraki was, however, silent on the Chief Whip because members of the South-West caucus which should produce a representative, did not write any letter.

It was learnt that the South-West senators refused to write any letter because they claimed that the party’s decision as contained in its letter, was sufficient.

Attempts by the senator representing Zamfara Central, Kabiru Marafa, to make the Senate President read the letter from the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, containing lists of the principal officers, was again frustrated by Saraki.

Marafa had cited Senate Standing Order 28 (1) and Constitution point of order Section 65, (1E), to drive home his arguments.

He said, “According to the provision, there should be a majority leader of the Senate who should be a senator nominated from the party with the highest number of senators.

“This point of order was raised yesterday (Wednesday) and another colleague raised another point of order distinguishing between the word, from and by, which was used there. That is why I am joining it with order 65 (1d) of the constitution.

“It says subject to the provisions of section 66 of the constitution. A person shall be qualified for election as a member of the Senate if he or she is a member of a political party and sponsored by the political party.

“Mr. President, there is a communication from the APC which is the party with the majority reps in the Senate. However, for reasons best known to you Mr. President, you declined to read it on the floor of the Senate when your attention was drawn to the communication from the party.

“The constitution provision just cited, clearly put the party ahead of any other caucus from anywhere. Therefore, if the communication from the party, can so be regarded, I suggest that you, Mr. President cannot read any communication from any caucus because there is no caucus that is bigger than the political party.”

Saraki ruled Marafa out of order, stressing that he had concluded on the issue at Wednesday’s sitting.